I use the lectionary readings in my church and yesterday, Nov.25th was the end of the lectionary readings for cycle C. And the readings were used to celebrate Christ the King Day (in some denominations.) The readings were powerful and prophetic, for they touched on many issues that we have been discussing on this discussion board lately. In the Jeremiah reading it talked about the "Shephards" (pastors) that had hurt the people and driven them away. It also talked about God seeing these things and sending a descendent of David to bring justice to his people so they could return home. The New Testament reading was taken from Colossian 1, Paul's letter to the home church in Colassae (which is in modern day turkey) Paul is writing from Prison in rome. And he wants to make sure the people know that Christ is the focus of Christianity. That Christ is the visible form of God. That all things are reconciled in Christ. The people of Colossae were focusing on angels, circumscion and living a very ascetic life style. Instead of focusing on the power of Christ. One of the points that I want to make is that discussions regarding, name changes, pastoral misconduct, false doctrine has been addressed in scripture! God tells us he sees all things, God also tells us that he will right these wrongs. My brothers and sisters do not be discouraged! Let us make a committment for all of us who read this discussion board and post to pray for our denomination every morning at 8AM and 8PM daily. Let us also post on the board bible verses, bible studies that will keep us focused on Christ the King. If God be for us who can be against us.

-- Anonymous, November 26, 2001

Answers

Reverend Rogers,

Thanks you for this post and its suggestion. As you know I do the Youth Message at my church each week and I draw it from the Lectionary.

On November 18 I used the Gospel Reading, Luke 21:5-19 and entitled it "Things That Go Bump in the Night". I told the youth that Solemn Evensong & Communion is my favorite of all Christian services, and it is held every day of the year in many churches throughout the world. Therefore, I took the title from a centuries old Scottish collect once used in The Service of Solemn Evensong which reads, "From ghoulies and ghosties, And long-leggedy beasties, And things that go bump in the night, Good Lord, deliver us!" We also looked at pictures of our own city at night and discussed things, which often scare us most.

Yesterday I piggybacked on that idea and used the Gospel Reading, Luke 23:33-43. We focused on the man whose name we do not know but one who the Church calls Saint Dismas (the penitent thief on the cross), whose name was derived from the Greek word for sunset or death. Again we looked at the modern Evensong collect which reads, "From all oppression, conspiracy, and rebellion; from violence, battle, and murder; and from dying suddenly and unprepared, Good Lord, deliver us". We also looked at the one which reads, "O Lord, our heavenly Father, by whose Almighty power we have been preserved this day; By they great mercy defend us from all perils and dangers of this night; for the love of they only Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen."

The bottom line being, If we truly make Christ KING OF OUR LIVES and come to Him in true faith and humility, He stands ready, willing and able to deliver us from all things which frighten us and give us grief, and from every ill and woe. He can and will deliver us from death, hell and sin, from dying suddenly and unprepared ,and even from things that go "BUMP IN THE NIGHT."

-- Anonymous, November 26, 2001

Roberst thank you for sharing about the Evesong. How can I get them. It sounds like a wonderful addition during that advent season. I am sorry about the wrong email that is in my initial post. The computer I used before has my old email. The correct one is deniserogers@minister.com

-- Anonymous, November 26, 2001

Ah! Reverend, what a magnificient soul searching thought - Christ the King and our denomination. As servants of Jesus Christ, our primary and foremost focus is proclaiming the good news to all people and to encourage the flock entrusted to us. We sing "King of my life I crown thee now, etc.", but exploring the depth and substance of the "king" in relation to our lives and our denomination when there is so much attention getting advertisments pulling us in other directions, is a task worthy of all acceptance.

With advent and the birthday of our King fast approaching, now is the time to reinforce the truths of the King who rolls all burdens away. Within our denomination, there are those who're crying out like Habakkuk, "O Lord, how long shall I cry and thou wilt not hear? Habakkuk 1:1 Eventhough, we know He sees and hears, He's silent.

Beloveds, "Let not your heart be troubled". Cast your cares upon him for He cares for you. What comfort, peace and joy to know that the King cares. The King cares? The King cares!!

-- Anonymous, November 27, 2001

I use the lectionary also and rejoiced in last Sunday's selection. I preached from Luke "Father forgive them for they know not what they do. (The Sin of Ignorance). My children's sermon came from the Ephesian scripture, Forgiveness.

Blessings,

Pastor Paris

-- Anonymous, November 27, 2001

My soul rejoices to know that the church of the Living God moves on using the Word of God to seek and reach the lost, encourage the faint hearted and enlighten the seekers of truth. I am rejoicing all the more to hear that special "programs" aren't being used to ensure that our pews are filled, but that we're choosing and using scripture lessons found in a tool of the church (the hymnbook) to build up the flock.

The 3 books that all of us (AME's) must have, our Bible, our hymn book, and our discipline, when used in that order guided by the Holy Spirit brings about a revival within and without.

Where are we with the hymn book other than the lectionary? When you mention the hymn book, most folk will say, it's outdated, old school, and not relevant or doesn't reach today's youth or their parents.

-- Anonymous, November 28, 2001

We are a new A.M.E church, when we started a year ago we were non-denominational. We have been A.M.E since August. Rev. Paris has been a wonderful mentor for us this pass year along with others on this board. I thank all of you!!! Since we have had no money. We have turned to Christ the King for everything, we have not made a move without going to him in prayer. It has been an incredible journey. We started out meeting in a Mexican Restarant. There were two A.M.E pastors who made fun of us. And wanted to know why we did not buy a building. Bishop Bryant kept encouraging us and praying for us. We kept praying and thanking Christ for the space for it was given to us to use for free. We had to leave in Sept. for the building was sold. Again we prayed Christ told us to meet in a nursing home. We got a call from a nursing home and we were asked to do a worship service there for no other church would come on a regular basis. We said Yes! We use the facility for free. And it was so exciting to tell the residences that the mission statement of the A.M.E church tells us to go to the nursing homes! Last month members of the congregation came to me and said they wanted a longer worship service and more prayer time during the service. They wanted a second service, we prayed about it. And God said Yes! The Bishop said yes, and gave us suggestions where to look for a space. So starting Dec. 9th we will have a second service called the "God is Good Praise Service" in the afternoon. Prior to becoming A.M.E I was United Methodist since I was 16. I have had many Bishops. But I must say I have never had A Bishop like Bishop Bryant, for from the beginning of this church he has prayed for us, inspired us and understood the ministry that God has planted here. He has not asked us to change. When we write and say, Christ is telling us to be a refuge for the poor, or we are doing Prison ministry. He sends messages to the congregation and they are all brand new christians and they say "he understands!!!" I want to share with you, there are four women at the nursing home and everyone of them is in a wheel chair, and on our tuesday night prayer meeting, they pray for their Bishop, Bishop John. They are all white, between the ages of 44 and 76. They will not start our prayer meeting until they pray for their Bishop.(I often wonder if they understand that he is Bishop for 14 states, they know when he is traveling and they worry.) We do not have A.M.E hymanls. We have 127 baptist hymnals that were given to us for free. We have one discipline that we share. But every member has a Bible, and they bring them to church on sundays. I do not read the scripture readings until they all find the passage. Everything that has happened this year is because of Christ the King. This has been one of the most incredible years of my life. God is doing other great works in our denomination, we need to share the good news that he is doing! Christ is King and he always wants to come into our lives and our churches. We just have to ask. On Dec. 3, it will one year that our church has been here in Bozeman. We will have a celebration in January. We are going to have a gala and ask the community to bring food for the food bank. God bless you!

-- Anonymous, November 28, 2001

Hallelujah! An example of "For we walk by faith and not by sight". To God be the Glory!

-- Anonymous, November 28, 2001